John Edward Harris

John Edward Harris, 84, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2024, in Lexington, KY. John was born in Columbus, OH in 1940. He graduated from Aquinas College High School (Columbus) and Ohio State University with a B.S. in Education, Math and Science. He moved to Venice, FL in 1963, where he taught math. He later went on to receive an M.S. in Math from the University of Florida and attended the University of Alabama School of Optometry. Most of his career was working in eye clinics around the Gulf Coast of Florida, where he loved helping his patients obtain perfect 20/20 vision. He retired in 2013. He enjoyed an active life - scuba diving, skiing, restoring cars, dancing, and traveling - and was always up for an adventure.
He is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl Harris (Foster) of Somerset, KY; his six children: Deborah Whang of Naperville, IL, Barbara Caldwell of Gilbert, AZ, William Harris of Wauchula, FL, Charles Harris of Dallas, GA and David Harris of Acworth, GA, and John Harris, Jr. of Tampa, FL, and two step children: Rachel Kelly of Somerset, KY, and Ben Handley of Jacksonville, FL. He also leaves behind 21 grandchildren, 2 nephews and a host of friends and family. A celebration of his rich life will take place in Venice, FL next summer by the shore.